Office of Science Outreach

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

Advanced Learning Program (formerly G/T)

life science
If you are looking for a challenging day for your advanced learning middle school students, you might be interested in our day-long or half-day on-campus programs for students. The time is spent in a teaching laboratory pursuing a scientific topic or question with our student assistants. Full day programs can be arranged during the January interim. A limited number of half-day programs can be arranged during the school year.
Program 2-5 hours of hands-on science activites for elem./middle school students (minimum 20 students)
Staff One Ph.D. Faculty member or master science teacher
A team of science student assistants
Fee

$7/student for half day
$10/student for full day

Surcharge $50 for quail eggs and blood sampling labs

Available Topics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Titrations
Students learn about acids & bases, and the lab technique of titration as they explore an environmental or nutritional question. The process of using science to answer questions is emphasized.

Determining Compositions
Discovering the composition of an object or substance is an ongoing theme in science. It is important in astronomy, chemistry, environmental science, medicine, and food science to name a few. In this program, students learn and apply different ways of finding composition; they also see the importance of such exploration to the scientific method. The emphasis of this topic is on "How do we know..."

Electricity and Magnetism
Students might examine static electricity, circuits, safety, motors or generators. A hands-on discovery approach is emphasized.

Life Science
Students investigate many aspects of life. They may learn about development of embryos by observing live quail eggs at differing stages in development. This program also emphasizes DNA and genetics. Students will further their knowledge of DNA and genetics.

Industrial Science
Beyond just knowing what is in textbooks, real scientists have to be able to apply their knowledge. In this program, students will see how simple ideas in Chemistry can be used to make common products like cold cream. The students will learn all about polymers and their importance in the world. This will be shown when the students make slime. Students will have samples of the cold cream and the slime to take home with them.

Scientific Method
Students explore the process of doing science in the context of age-appropriate topics such as buoyancy, electricity or chemistry.

Food Chemistry
Food and nutrition are the unifying theme as students learn about different types of reactions and analytical tests. Even younger students can help to design experiments to answer questions about fat, sugar and water in foods.

Geoscience
Students take part in hands-on activities to learn about geological processes and how geologists explore the world. Rock formation, the rock cycle, core sampling, and for older students, topographical mapping is explored.

Neuroscience
Students experience the brain and nervous system using hands-on methods. Parts and functions of the brain and nervous system, senses, memory and learning, and brain diseases and disorders are explored depending on age level.

Questions and comments can be sent to sciout@uwosh.edu. Date of last update: September, 2007.